County Services
I’m running to enhance County services and connect residents to critical resources
I have an early memory of my childhood, of a brief winter visit to Chicago with my family. After my father had parked the car on a city side street, I saw a woman walking briskly back and forth on the cold sidewalk. After she passed our car a third time, it was then that I noticed that the woman wore no shoes. It was impossible for me to help her at the time, but the image of that woman has remained with me throughout my life. She is one of the reasons that I earned my law degree and a Masters degree in Social Work, with a concentration in women’s issues and socio-economic development. I became a legal aid attorney and devoted my career to represent and advocate for people who are in vulnerable circumstances and cannot help themselves.
There are still many households in DuPage County who struggle with food insecurity, housing insecurity, and other inequities. Recently, the DuPage County Board recognized the needs of these residents by allocating $10 million to the DuPage Foundation to support residents most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding focuses on providing food and housing assistance, as well as mental health and substance abuse treatment. I want to ensure that the County Board continues to help all residents who would benefit from these resources.
While knocking on doors of residents and listening to their concerns, I have realized that three issues come up time and time again:
Mental Health: 53 million people in the U.S. live with a mental illness – that’s nearly one in five adults. In 2021, the DuPage County Health Department’s Behavioral Health Crisis System handled roughly 45,000 calls –up more than 25% over the prior two years. I will stand up for residents who are still struggling for help and aren’t receiving the mental health services they need, in schools, in homeless centers, and in the criminal and judicial system. Residents can now turn to a new 9-8-8 crisis hotline system but I know that we can, and should, do better for our residents, county-wide.
Housing & Homelessness: Hundreds of people in DuPage County experience homelessness each year, many of whom are children. There are effective ways to address homelessness, such as the recent decision by the DuPage County Board to grant $5 million to DuPage PADS to purchase a Downers Grove hotel for an interim housing shelter. While I want to continue creating partnerships with housing agencies, the numbers of homeless families and individuals underscore the real need for affordable housing in the County. I will prioritize the development of affordable housing throughout our County, reviewing our zoning practices and expanding affordable housing grants to developers.
Senior Citizens: My desire to serve senior citizens comes from my close relationship with my grandmother who lived with us while I was growing up. I have a real interest in making sure our senior residents have what they need for their health, dignity, and well-being. In 2021, the Mayor of Elmhurst appointed me to the Elmhurst Senior Citizens Commission, and since then, I have been working to provide information and access to resources that aid local seniors. Many residents are surprised to find that the County provides a number of services dedicated to senior citizens. I will continue DuPage County’s commitment to programs for seniors and connect seniors to those resources.